Iowa to Delaware Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated June 11, 2025
Planning a 1,081 mile interstate move from Iowa to Delaware? This moving guide will help you compare living in Iowa vs Delaware across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Slippery Dumplings), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs colonial, beach), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Delaware), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Iowa Chop (Pork), but get your taste buds ready for Slippery Dumplings & Broiled Chicken
- Delaware housing costs are 80% more expensive than they are in Iowa
- Rent in Delaware is 71.30% more expensive than in Iowa
- Moving from Iowa to Delaware will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Iowa to Delaware movers is Adamantine Spine Moving

Top Iowa to Delaware Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Iowa to Delaware movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Adamantine Spine Moving
Best moving company overall for Iowa to Delaware

Adamantine Spine Moving

Best Move Inc
Iowa to Delaware Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to Delaware
- Harsh winters
- Limited coastlines
- Less population diversity
- Milder climate
- Beautiful beaches
- Greater cultural variety
- Higher expenses
- Denser urban areas
- Fast-paced life
- Low cost of living
- Wide open spaces
- Friendly communities
Pros of moving from Iowa to Delaware
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited coastlines and moving to Delaware with beautiful beaches
- Swap the less population diversity of Iowa for greater cultural variety in Delaware
Cons of moving from Iowa to Delaware
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Iowa to live with higher expenses in Delaware
- You'll lose out on the pro of wide open spaces and have to settle for the con of denser urban areas
- Time to bid farewell to friendly communities and get used to the fast-paced life in Delaware
Iowa vs. Delaware: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Iowa | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Slippery Dumplings |
Most popular meat dish | Iowa Chop (Pork) | Broiled Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Grilled Corn | Crab Cake Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Corn Dogs | Vegan Crab Cakes |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Iowa to Delaware, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Iowa for the equally delicious Slippery Dumplings of Delaware. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful Iowa Chop (Pork) and sumptuous Grilled Corn, Delaware residents know they have tasty Broiled Chicken and Crab Cake Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Corn Dogs they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Crab Cakes of Delaware. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like The Iowa Chop House, Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, and The Ronneburg Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Delaware, don't wait too long before making your way to Delaware's acclaimed eateries like Cook's Seafood, Harry's Savoy Grill, and Big Fish Grill.
When comparing lifestyles, Delaware shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Iowa. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Delaware compared to what you are used to in Iowa. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Delaware.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and Delaware
Comparison | Iowa | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Colonial, Beach |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, quiet neighborhoods | Proximity to beaches, modern amenities |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Beach architecture typical of Delaware.
- Compared to Iowa's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Delaware real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to beaches and modern amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Delaware is more walkable than Iowa.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Delaware is more bike-friendly than Iowa.
- Delaware has more of an urban feel than Iowa.
- Delaware housing costs are 80% more expensive than they are in Iowa, with a median home price of $385,745 compared to Iowaβs $214,151.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Delaware have increased by 42% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
- Rent in Delaware is 71.30% more expensive than in Iowa.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Iowa and Delaware
Comparison | Iowa | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Severe Storms | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 85Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 14Β°F | 45Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36" | 45" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 35" | 20" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Iowa to Delaware. Delaware gets 3% fewer sunshine days than Iowa.
- Delaware has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Iowa.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and severe storms in Iowa, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware.
- The average summer high temperature in Delaware is 3 degrees warmer than in Iowa.
- The average winter lows in Delaware are 14 degrees warmer than they are in Iowa.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Delaware. Delaware receives 9 more inches of rain compared to Iowa.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and Delaware
Comparison | Iowa | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,588 | $82,174 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.9 | 102.45 |
State Income Tax | 4.4 | 6.6 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.5 | 0.6 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.0 | 0 |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance | Legal, Banking, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Delaware tend to earn about 18% more than in Iowa
- The COLI in Delaware is 7% higher than what you are used to living in Iowa
- The state income tax in DE is 6.6 compared to 4.4 in IA
- The affluence in Delaware is high compared to moderate in Iowa
- The poverty level is moderate in Delaware compared to low in Iowa
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Iowa and moderate in Delaware
Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. Delaware
Comparison | Iowa | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans slightly conservative | Mostly liberal |
Local Politics | Rural areas lean conservative, urban areas more liberal | Liberal, especially in urban areas like Wilmington and Dover |
Religion | Christian majority, diverse religious communities in urban areas | Christian majority, with growing diversity in faith practices |
- Iowa tends to lean mixed and leans slightly conservative in its political climate
- Delaware, on the other hand, is often described as mostly liberal
- Delaware's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with growing diversity in faith practices
- Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority and diverse religious communities in urban areas
Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to Delaware
Comparison | Iowa | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa State University Ames University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls | University of Delaware Newark Wilmington University New Castle Delaware State University Dover |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Willowwind School Iowa City Harrison Elementary School Cedar Rapids Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert | North Star Elementary School Hockessin Cab Calloway School of the Arts Wilmington Losurdo STEM Academy Dover |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ames Middle School Ames Northwest Junior High Coralville Waukee Middle School Waukee | Tatnall School Wilmington Sanford School Hockessin Brandywine Springs School Wilmington |
Top 3 High Schools | Iowa City West High School Iowa City Ames High School Ames Waukee High School Waukee | Charter School of Wilmington Wilmington Cape Henlopen High School Lewes Appoquinimink High School Middletown |
Top 3 private high schools | Regina High School Iowa City Dowling Catholic High School West Des Moines Des Moines Christian School Urbandale | Salesianum School Wilmington Tower Hill School Wilmington St. Mark's High School Wilmington |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Iowa City Regina Iowa City Des Moines Christian School Urbandale Valley Lutheran School Cedar Falls | Tatnall School Wilmington Sanford School Hockessin Tower Hill School Wilmington |
Top 3 School Districts | Iowa City Community School District Iowa City Ames Community School District Ames Waukee Community School District Waukee | Red Clay Consolidated School District Wilmington Cape Henlopen School District Lewes Appoquinimink School District Middletown |
How Much Do Iowa to Delaware Movers Cost?
Moving 1,081 miles from Iowa to Delaware will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,815 | 300 ft3 | $6.05 |
1 Bedroom | $2,700 | 450 ft3 | $6.00 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,463 | 750 ft3 | $5.95 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,491 | 1100 ft3 | $5.90 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,362 | 1600 ft3 | $5.85 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,442 | 1800 ft3 | $5.80 |